8 Somerset County softball players picked to coaches' association All-State teams

Eight Somerset County athletes were named to the Pennsylvania High School Softball Coaches Association all-state teams on Friday.

Meyersdale senior pitcher Izabella Donaldson and second baseman Laurel Daniels, along with Berlin Brothersvalley freshman shortstop Coral Prosser and first baseman Elena Ritchey, were named to the first team in Class 1A.

Meyersdale senior first baseman Zoe Hetz and shortstop Marcella Dupre, as well as Shade-Shanksville senior shortstop Kori Boozer, garnered second-team honors.

Windber sophomore shortstop Kaylie Gaye was selected to the second team in Class 2A.

Daily American softball all-stars Meet the 2024 Daily American Somerset County All-Star Softball Team and Coach of the Year

All-County honors Izabella Donaldson garners third straight Somerset All-County softball MVP honor

Donaldson collected her third straight all-state honor. The Frostburg State recruit went 20-3 in the circle with a 1.11 ERA in 24 appearances. She tallied 234 strikeouts and allowed 20 earned runs in 126 innings. At the plate, she batted .456 with 36 hits, including nine doubles, a triple and eight homers, 31 RBIs and 19 runs scored.

Daniels picked up her second all-state nod. She was a second-team honoree a year ago. Daniels led Meyersdale this season with a .459 average, 40 RBIs and 10 home runs. She delivered 34 hits and scored 20 runs.

Dupre and Hetz each collected their third straight all-state selections.

Dupre batted .383 with 31 hits, including nine doubles, a triple and two homers, 21 RBIs and 28 runs scored. She had a .958 fielding percentage with just two errors.

Hetz provided 31 hits, including six doubles, a triple and a home run, 21 RBIs and 26 runs scored. She batted .408.

Meyersdale went 22-3, claimed its fourth straight District 5 championship and advanced to the PIAA quarterfinals. The four seniors were catalysts along the way.

"It was a good way to bring their softball careers to a finish with those seniors being awarded an all-state designation," coach Tim Miller said. "They deserve it. They work hard. They are great teammates, leaders for our program and the younger girls. I am very happy for them."

Meanwhile, Prosser and Ritchey shined for Berlin, helping the Mountaineers to their second straight District 5 title game appearance and PIAA playoff berth.

Prosser batted an impressive .568 with 46 hits, including 12 doubles, two triples and four homers, 25 RBIs and 42 runs scored. She also stole a team-high 12 bases. Prosser also was a second-team all-state basketball selection this season.

Ritchey tallied a team-high 41 RBIs. She batted .515 with 34 hits, including five doubles, four triples, 13 home runs and 30 runs scored.

"They are both phenomenal athletes," Berlin coach Brian Slope said. "I think it's their work ethic that stands out immediately if you watch them at practice. They never take shortcuts or opt for the easy way out. They always do extra. Even as freshmen coming in, they were leaders for our team."

In 20 games, Boozer batted .516 with 32 hits, including 11 doubles, a home run, 27 RBIs and 33 runs scored. She stole a team-high 21 bases.

"The biggest thing this year is she really worked on her defense," Shade-Shanksville coach Craig Glessner said of Boozer. "She stuck at it and played really hard, defensively. Offensively, you can schedule her for 30-plus hits a year and you'll get them. She gets on base and is super-fast. If she gets a single, it's a double because she's going to steal second.

"She's the energy of our team. Back-to-back years, there's a lot to be said for that as an all-state selection. She is a great hitter, fielder and baserunner."

Gaye picked up her first all-state honor. She batted .518 with 29 hits, including six doubles, six triples, two home runs, 30 RBIs and 26 runs scored. She led the Ramblers in hits, average, RBIs and runs. She also swiped a team-high 17 bases.

"She's just a great all-around outstanding athlete," Windber coach Ron Walker said of Gaye. "She has excellent work ethic, a great attitude and she's very enjoyable to coach. She is also very competitive. If she was having any kind of a slump, she just works harder and gets extra time at the field and stays later. She has some years to go, which is nice. She's a keeper. I'm glad she got this recognition. That's what happens ‒ you work hard ‒ it pays off."

Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on X @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: 8 Somerset County softball players picked to coaches' association All-State teams